We were spending another night at the Glengarry Castle Hotel, as Kiera was still suffering from her cold, we thought today we would take a boat trip on Loch Ness which was just up the road and then go for a drive.
But first breakfast! As in all the hotels we stayed in, breakfast really did set us up for the day. We ate well, which meant we only snacked at lunch time, ready for our evening feast!
We got away by around 1000hrs approx and drove the short distance to Fort Augustus. Last time I was here I was surrounded by bikers as I refuelled my little Honda C90!
Felt funny being back again, but good to be able to point out all the things that I had forgotten about and failed to talk about on my last adventure to Kiera.
We found that a boat was due to sail in just over an hours time, so a quick look around the tourist tat shops and a brew taken as we watched the boats go up and down the lock gates on the Caledonian Canal.
The canal is fully operational and connects the East Coast of Scotland to the West Coast and is approximately 60 miles long.
The boat pictured is the Harvest Anne - more info on this boat can be found by clicking on the link (HERE)
Our boat trip lasted around an hour, it had commentary and for the money was pretty good with some spectacular views! Thankfully the rain held off with only a few spots falling, but it was a bit drafty out on the Loch so wrap up warm if you intend to do this trip!
Kiera feeding the ducks by the locks
I had decided that as I could not be in France then France would be with me!
Looking the part with my French Beret!
After our boat trip we decided to go exploring, I looked on the map and we roughly decided on a bit of a circular tour.
We headed North on the A82 right up along side Loch Ness, where at Drumnnadrochit we turned left on the A833 before turning right onto the A862 towards Beauly.
Same route as I took on the C90. Now just after you turn right you are faced with a 25% gradient, which in a car is steep, but on my little C90! Well, all I can say is, if I had driven it in a car first, there is no way I would of attempted it on "Lucille".
The hill goes on and on and on! Kiera was really surprised with the roads I travelled on!
At Muir of Ord we swung left on the A832 and at the "T" Junction of the A835 we should of turned left. However Kiera wanted for no other reason than it was "there" to go take a look at a viewing point at Loch Ussie at Knockfarrel.
If you have not clicked on any of the links it may be worth clicking on "Loch Ussie" (wink wink)!
Loch Ussie we found, as well as Knockfarrel, some dead end tracks and a few locals! But definitely no signs to a viewing point! We did see some Red Kites flying high though.
Back on track and onto the A835 before turning off again onto the A832. All the time the scenery was amazing.
At Achnasheen we picked up the A890 and passed Lochcarron - stunning views again!
This road took us all the way down the the A87 where we turned left and hugged the shore of Loch Duich before we drove through Glen Shiel with the Mountain Range of the Five Sisters towering above us!
We passed by Eilean Donan castle on Loch Duich, probably best known for the BBC trailer which it is shown on and many other films.
Now Glen Coe may be breath taking and probably the best known, but to be totally honest Glen Shiel not only takes your breath away, but leaves you speechless as well. In my opinion the finest Glen in Scotland!
Just past Loch Cluanie we turned right but still on the A87, all the way to Invergarry where our hotel was just 5 minutes away where a roaring fire and a G&T awaited!
What a day!
That evening we fine dined in the hotel's restaurant, and once more the food was divine.
The journey continues.....
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